The mother of a boy killed by a hit-and-run driver said she is "devastated and shocked" the man responsible is to have his prison sentence reduced.

Callum Oakford, nine, died after being hit by a car being driven by Kamel Kadri at Ferring in West Sussex.

Kadri, an illegal immigrant, had no insurance or tax and was jailed for eight months for driving offences.

But now a ruling has said the judge exceeded his sentencing powers and the term should be cut by two months.

It has again exposed a major problem in the legal system in this country

Lynn Oakford, Callum's mother

Kadri will also have to serve a further 16 months for using a false passport.

Lynn Oakford, Callum's mother, said she felt Kadri was laughing at her from his prison cell.

She said: "Of course this has made our heartache even greater.

"We are all devastated and confused. We are totally shocked by the news.

"I really feel he is laughing at us from his prison cell.

"The judge did his best, he is limited in what he can do.

Kamel Kadri entered the UK illegally in 2001

"It has again exposed a major problem in the legal system in this country."

Mrs Oakford said she was angry she had to hear about the reduction from the press and not the Crown Prosecution Service.

Kadri hit Callum, known as CJ, as he crossed the A259 with friends on New Year's Day.

The 38-year-old, who was born in Algeria, entered the UK illegally in 2001 and had his application for asylum rejected in September 2002.

Kadri pleaded guilty to having no tax, MoT, or insurance and also admitted failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, and using a false passport.

Judge Anthony Thorpe jailed Kadri for 24 months, but only eight months were for driving offences, the other 16 were for the passport offence.

Mrs Oakford said she wanted to meet Tony Blair to discuss a campaign launched by the family to introduce a charge of manslaughter for similar hit-and-run cases.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "Having considered the sentence imposed and the judge's sentencing remarks, it appears the judge exceeded his powers in sentencing in relation to the offences of failing to report an accident and failing to stop after an accident."